When Alyssa Phillips married her husband (a second marriage), she knew that he, Carl, “had a long-standing problem with alcohol,” but, like so many, she didn’t quite understand how this would affect their life together. In the introduction she also admits, “I brought to our relationship my difficulty in dealing with anger.”

It wasn’t long before she was attending Al-Anon meetings, where she met fellow spouses who challenged and encouraged her, but even there she felt something was missing --- some undergirding she subsequently has found in the pages of her Bible, particularly in the Gospels, which tell the story and relate the teachings of Jesus. 

All of Phillips’ meditations are hooked directly to Gospel passages presented somewhat chronologically through the life of Jesus, from the Annunciation through to His post-Resurrection appearances. The first third (or so) of the three-page reflections lay out the biblical context, often of a quotation of Jesus or of someone who encounters Him. What’s going on in the first-century story? But that’s just the jumping-off point for Philipps’ gentle challenge for living out and through the Good News by anchoring oneself in Christ.

"Phillips’ text is sometimes personal, relating moments when she has 'heard a reassuring voice with the ears of my heart'... I particularly liked her reflection on the post-resurrection encounter of Jesus in the home of an Emmaus disciple who recognizes Jesus for who He is only late in the story."

In an early reflection on Mary’s song (the Magnificat), particularly noting that God “has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts,” Phillips confesses her own problem of pride. “In Mary’s sense of the term, we are all addicts of one sort or another. Aren’t we bound by assumptions about ourselves and our rights that we don’t question? Such assumptions can fuel all manner of emotional reactions --- anger, panic, or despair --- that too easily take us over.” And later in the reflection, “By clinging to an illusion of control, we reject the gifts of the Holy Spirit.”

Phillips’ text is sometimes personal, relating moments when she has “heard a reassuring voice with the ears of my heart”; sometimes, as quoted in the previous paragraph, it reverts to a more generic “we,” somewhat reminiscent of the early writings of Henri Nouwen. Either way, her message is clear and helpful. Though I read the book over the course of a few days, the reflections are meant to be read one per day or maybe one per week. (There are 52 total.)

I particularly liked her reflection on the post-resurrection encounter of Jesus in the home of an Emmaus disciple who recognizes Jesus for who He is only late in the story. Phillips very personally relates a moment of insight: “in a flash, all my husband’s good qualities came flooding over me: his fidelity and honesty, his readiness to forgive and forget my own turbulent outbursts, his faith despite the temptations that beset him.”

And then in the next reflection, about another Easter-tide appearance of Jesus, she notes: “The real issue is not what Carl will or won’t do; it is whether I can trust Jesus to be there when my time of need comes. Journeying in prayer through the Gospels, has deepened my trust that this will indeed be so.”